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Community Service Message from the Chancellor

Author(s)

Rebecca Chopp

Letter

•

March 5, 2015

Dear Friends,

Our University is in the midst of a strategic planning process to determine how we can best fulfill our mission while meeting the challenges and taking advantage of the opportunities of a changing landscape in higher education, the nation and the world. We're inviting members of our community to engage with this process as we Imagine DU ten years from now. As we conceive together of a bold future for DU, we will think about how best to realize our vision to be a great private university dedicated to the public good.

I want to share two updates with you around one of our most enduring expressions of serving the public good: the dedication to community service by our students, faculty, staff, trustees and alumni.

First, I want to acknowledge and celebrate the tremendous effort known as our "1864 Service Challenge" that concludes on the University of Denver Founders Day March 5, 2015. About a year ago, the University began the challenge concurrent with our sesquicentennial. To commemorate DU's founding in 1864, we set a community goal to achieve a total of 186,400 hours of community service in our 150th year. Indeed, we exceeded our goal back in August 2014 and will close out the challenge with more than 280,000 total hours of community service!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this significant expression of our public good vision. Our students contributed hours through DU Service and Change, the Bridge Project, service learning programs and more. Our faculty and staff gave their time during Denver Days, as well as to many other volunteer activities. And our alumni participated in the National Day of Service and other volunteer projects.

Thank you to everyone who helps us demonstrate our commitment to the public good—year after year. You embody our vision through your work and scholarship that contribute to the greater good.

Second, I'd like to highlight DU's involvement in the Denver Post Progress Colorado 2015 Business and Economic Guide. This special supplement appeared in the Feb. 22 Post. The University is featured in the supplement for the impact of our community service to Colorado's economy, as well as how it drives employment opportunities for our students.

Serving the public good will always be a part of who we are at the University of Denver. I hope you enjoy these recent examples and take pride in our community and its commitment to others.